Cats usually give birth on the 63rd day after fertilization, however, in some breeds this period is slightly different, for example, Egyptian Mau give birth on the 73rd day, and Siamese - on the 65th day after mating. Thus, the normal gestational age of a cat is 61-70 days. In the vast majority of cases, there are 3-6 kittens in the litter, but sometimes a multiple pregnancy occurs - in the litter up to 12 kittens.
Many cats, especially primiparous, love when the owners are near them during childbirth. This is for them a high moral support. In addition, the cat may need help, and for this it is necessary to prepare the necessary items in advance: cotton threads, vegetable oil, a pipette, sterile cotton wool, small sterile scissors, gauze wipes, hemostatic agents - hydrogen peroxide or brilliant green.
A few days before the birth of cats, as a rule, they begin to fuss and look for a den. Signs of the appearance of the first fights in cats: they equip the nest, walk in circles, constantly lie down and stand up, come in and out of the nest while meowing invitingly. Contraction intensifies and therefore they lie on their sides, stretching their hind limbs. At this time, the body temperature drops, breathing becomes complicated, the nose and ears become cold. After the first fights, the first kitten appears within 20-40 minutes. After him, at certain time intervals, the rest of the kittens appear.
How the first kitten is born.
Amniotic fluid appears between the labia, from which fluid flows after it bursts. This fluid plays the role of lubricating the birth canal, thereby facilitating the movement of the fetus outward, and after a few minutes the first kitten appears. Quite often it happens that after the birth of the next kitten, the contractions weaken and the cat needs help. How to cause childbirth in a cat after the birth of the third and subsequent kitten. It is necessary to stroke it on the stomach, while gently pressing it. If the kitten is stuck and can not move in the birth canal, then do not lose composure. You should reassure the cat and use a pipette to inject a little oil into the vagina to make it easier for the kitten to slip out. As a rule, cats give birth on average from 3 to 6 hours, and the interval between kittens is 15-30 minutes.
Situations when the help of a veterinarian is needed.
- The cat had a pelvic fracture, a cesarean section and excessive obesity were previously performed.
- Strong fights take place over an hour, but the first kitten never comes into the world.
- Sudden apathy and weakness with a temperature above 39 degrees.
- For 10 minutes, bleeding lasts before or after childbirth.
- For 10 minutes, the kitten cannot pass through the birth canal.
- At intervals between labor for more than three hours, the necessary emergency assistance of a veterinarian.
Such complications in cats are the worst. In order to prevent them, it is necessary to carefully care for the cat and control her body temperature. At temperatures above 39 degrees, complications associated with placenta retention, acute mastitis and metritis can occur. For 7-10 days after birth, the cat has reddish and green discharge. A sign of infection of the uterus is dark green and brown discharge, which lasts more than 20 days. At the same time, the body temperature of the cat rises, it is in constant depression.
After the cat has given birth, you should continue to carefully look after it: to feed well, create favorable conditions in the den, monitor its condition. This will help her very much to grow healthy kittens. As a sign of gratitude for their help and support, cats become even more loyal to their owner.